Eduard Ritter von Dostler
| Eduard Ritter von Dostler | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
February 3, 1892 Pottenstein, Kingdom of Bavaria, German Empire |
| Died | August 21, 1917 (aged 25) Near Frezenberg, Belgium |
| Allegiance | German Empire |
| Service/branch | Pioneers, Air Service |
| Years of service | 1912–1917 |
| Rank | Oberleutnant |
| Unit | 4th Pioneer Battalion, Schutzstaffel 27, Kasta 36, |
| Commands held | Jagdstaffel 13, Jagdstaffel 34, Jagdstaffel 6 |
| Awards | Pour le Mérite, Royal House Order of Hohenzollern, Military Order of Max Joseph, Iron Cross, Bavarian Lifesaving Medal |
Oberleutnant Eduard Ritter von Dostler (3 February 1892 – 21 August 1917), Pour le Mérite, Royal House Order of Hohenzollern, Military Order of Max Joseph, Iron Cross, was a German World War I fighter ace credited with 26 victories. On three consecutive assignments during World War I, Dostler was entrusted with leadership of German jagdstaffeln (fighter squadrons).
Eduard Dostler was born on 3 February 1892 in Pottenstein, Kingdom of Bavaria. He was commissioned in the 4th Pioneer Battalion of the Bavarian Army on 28 October 1912. He was awarded the Bavarian Lifesaving Medal for saving two of his men from drowning in the Danube River in August 1914. Later that month, Dostler went into action with his battalion in France on the Western Front. He won the Iron Cross First Class in March 1915. He was also awarded his native Bavaria Military Service Order.
Dostler's brother was a pilot who was killed in action. Eduard Dostler decided to switch to the Die Fliegertruppen des deutschen Kaiserreiches (Imperial German Flying Corps) because of his brother's death.
Dostler first reported to Schutzstaffel 27 (Protection Squadron) 27, then being reassigned to Kampfstaffel 36 (Tactical Bomber Squadron 36) on 15 June 1916. Dostler scored his first confirmed aerial victory while flying a Roland C.II two-seater fighter for Kasta 36. He downed a Sopwith Scout on 17 December 1916.
He then transferred to Royal Prussian Jagdstaffel 13, a newly formed squadron, taking command on 27 December 1916. On 22 January 1917, he scored Jasta 13's initial triumph. At that time, he was already an oberleutnant.
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